Melody

Chapter 11

I groaned like a zombie as the ray of the sun stung my eyes. Was it morning already? I groggily got off the floor and took a look around me as I scratched my head. I was surrounded by my lucky guitar and special microphone. There was smooth oak wood around me and a wide window. Why am I in my recording studio?

Oh yeah, I was recording the last bit of my songs. I wonder if I finished, I don't remember honestly. Ugh, why does my head hurt? Did I drink last night or something? Why am I so out of it? I reluctantly stood up and made my way to the bathroom. I stared blankly at my reflection.

My hair was matted and all over the place, my eyes were glazed and it was difficult to open them, is that drool on my chin?

Wow, I'm really letting myself go, at least I didn't gain a large amount of weight, I praised myself wistfully. I began to stare at my image once more, more carefully this time. There was suddenly a misty image of Claire, with silky smooth blonde hair, shining azure eyes, and an alluring smile, obviously drool proof. I gaped as I rubbed my eyes and my original reflection was returned.

I frowned gently as I began to tame my hair. I miss when I had all my groomers take care of my appearance. It is so much more difficult now, especially since I only packed a hairbrush.

Hold up.

Am I missing my old life?

No, no way. I love it here in Mineral Town. I have a loving boyfriend, actual friends, a rewarding job, and best of all, privacy. Why in the world would I want to return back to that nerve-wracking job? Sure I had more luxuries but I can survive without them. Yeah, I'm living right now without my assistants and six story house. I desperately pushed that thought away and began to fix my disheveled appearance. I don't want to leave Mineral Town.

Melody

Knock knock!

My eyebrows rose as I looked towards the locked door. I ran to the door, my toothbrush still in my mouth. When I opened it I saw Mary, already in her usual outfit early in the morning. I gave her a quick 'one second' with my fingers before dashing over to my sink to spit. I rinsed my mouth hastily before running back to the door.

"Morning Mary. How can I help you?" I asked, trying to hide my house as much as I could with the door. I didn't want her to see my recording studio. Since she's a librarian, she can easily get suspicious and put the puzzle pieces back together, I think that at least. But honestly, I would rather have only Ann and Gray know about it than everyone else in Mineral Town.

"Good morning," she said in a soft whisper, her voice like a bell. "I wanted to speak to you about…"

Oh Goddess, she's going to talk about Gray! Ann told me that she had a major crush on him but she was just too timorous to confess. Poor girl…But I don't want to hear her talk about Gray. Especially after last Thursday, I feel so uncomfortable and anxious around the librarian. Is she going to confront me about it? Tell me to stay away?

"…your late book."

Eh?

"Wait what? Can you repeat that?" I was flabbergasted. I was all worked up for nothing then. I have a tendency to do that lately. I should try going to the hot springs later and relax. Maybe I'll ask Ann.

Mary tensed up as she pulled on the hem of her dress. "Your book is five days late. Someone has been requesting your book for a while."

"Oh yeah, that gardening book? I'll go get it in a second!" The book was on my nightstand and was starting to get a coat of dust. I frowned before messily wiping it away and blowing off the remaining particles. I grinned before turning to Mary to see that my door was wide open. My heart raced as I ran to the exit to slide the door closed as much as I could.

"H-Here's your book. Sorry I'm late. I thought I was going to garden here or something, you know? Since there is such a large plot of land available for me. But I guess I'm too busy with the job at the blacksmith. It's pretty difficult and tiring ya' know. Probably just like the library." My mouth said what I was thinking and I was thinking a ton of things. I usually speak like a lunatic when I'm nervous. Once I spoke like this on my first interview back when I started my debut as a pop singer. The interview didn't end well and I gave myself a bad start to my career.

Mary looked at me as if I possessed six heads. Her thin eyebrows furrowed before taking the book from me and pressing it against her chest. "Thank you Vanessa. I hope you can return your books earlier. I better be going now. Good bye and have a nice day."

I nodded tersely before watching her walk off my property, her silky midnight hair bouncing as she walked. I never noticed it before but Mary is really pretty. If she ditched her glasses she would look really cute! I pondered on the thought for a minute before remembering I had work.

I dashed into my house and changed into my work clothes, my snug demin overalls and red and white checkered blouse. I patted down the parts of my uniform which stuck out. I glanced at my appearance again and felt a little disappointed. I remember when I wore silk and glittery clothes. They were so well made and fashionable. I turned to the wardrobe; there I had put all of my clothes from my old life. I opened it to see that most of the clothes I never ended up wearing.

There were so many off-shoulder shirts and jean shorts. My thumb grazed the soft cotton as I reminisced wearing them around the house when I had no work. I rummaged through the rest of the clothes to see a red satin dress, the one I wore when I won my first Grammy last year. I pulled it out of the pile of clothes to take a good look at it.

It was a ruby red bubble dress. It had a plain design yet had an elegant look to it. It was an outfit for the red carpet which I was able to choose. I refused to allow my mother have opinion on it because that night, was my night.

I remember I had a diamond fairy necklace which hung over my thin neck. That was the only accessory I wore other than my black clutch. I wore black high heels with glitter on the heels. I didn't stand out as much Lady Gaga or Nicki Minaj but I didn't mind. Those stars deserve all the paparazzi and they can even take mine.

My eyes fluttered closed as I recalled walking onto the stage from the audience. My heart had nearly burst from all the excitement of winning my first Grammy. I nearly squealed when my name was called. The sounds of the applause and excitement rattled across the auditorium. There were other stars who were nominees who congratulated me and gave me a pat on the back. I felt like crying in front of everyone when I was handed the trophy. Seeing all those eyes and smiles warmed me yet made me nervous. It was at that moment I felt I didn't need real friends because I had a million fans who adored me and my work. That was an unforgettable night.

But of course my mom was there to ruin my moment. After the Grammy's ended, I was ambushed by interviewers and cameras. That was the one time I didn't mind the obnoxious paparazzi because it was my time to shine. When I was I asked questions, I couldn't even open my mouth before my mother would spit out my answers. But that was only a small part of my night.

I opened my eyes to see that I was once again back in my room and not on stage in front of the world. My heart burned slightly as I bit down on my lip. I miss it. I miss my old life. I felt tears threatening to slip but I refused to let them escape. A whimper escaped my lips.

I want to go home. I want to go back to being pampered like a princess, without having to lift a finger. I miss when the only work I did was singing and vocal training instead of burning next to a furnace. I miss my fans. I might even miss my mom, very slightly. Maybe even James! I just want to go back.

I sucked in some air before swallowing the lump which lingered in my throat. I noticed the pale green dress which I wore to the festival, the night where I became closer to Gray than before. The night where he kissed my cheek as we watched the sunset. I put the satin dress on the floor as I reached over to pick up that memorable dress.

I took a good long look at it before pressing it against my chest. It wasn't the most fashionable night of my life but it was absolutely unforgettable.

What was I talking about?

I don't want to go back. I love it here. I'm truly loved by the one I love, not by strangers, people who don't even know who I truly am. I don't need fans I just want real friends and here I have that, Ann. What in the world was I thinking? I don't want to go back…but I know I have to back eventually. But until that day comes, I'm going to enjoy my life here as much as I can.

Melody

Gray noticed me as I walked into the blacksmith. Saibara wasn't at the counter and instead Gray was there. He lightly slammed his hands on the table as he gaped at me.

"Where were you? If Gramps wasn't out sick today, I would've gone to look for you." He said as he ran around the counter. "I was so worried about y –"

He stayed silent and his body was rigid as I abruptly wrapped my arms around him. He eventually returned the embrace causing my heart to soar. No one else can make me feel like this, no one but Gray, I know that now.

I pulled out of his arms and looked into his beautiful navy blue eyes. He gave me a smirk as his complexion flushed pink. "What was that about?"

I smiled as I snuggled into his chest. "I just wanted you to know how much you mean to me."

Not much happens but I felt this chapter was necessary. Hope you liked the small fluff between the two.(: